Maoists observe bandh in Kalahandi, Rayagada

Kalahandi/Rayagada: Maoists resorted to one-day bandh in Kalahandi and Rayagada districts today protesting the death of a woman Maoist in an encounter with the Special Operation Group (SOG) personnel in Kalahandi recently.

To avoid any untoward incidents during the bandh called by the CPI (Maoist) Bansadhara-Ghumusura-Nagabali Committee, police have tightened security arrangements and deployed forces at various sensitive places across the two districts.

Through an audio tape release, the Maoist outfit had on Saturday last week called for the bandh to protest the killing of the woman Maoist during an exchange of fire between SOG personnel and Maoists in Bijepur forest of Kalahandi district on September 15.

Rayagada Additional SP Patitapaban Chaudhury said,"The district police are on their toes to face all eventualities during the bandh. We have alerted all the police stations for this. Security arrangements have been beefed up whereas CRPF,BSF, DVF and SOG personnel have been deployed at various sensitive points for safety of the common people."